Valve-stem protector



April 3, 1928.

R. L. LOVVORN VALVE STEM PROTECTOR Filed May 31. 19527 gmc/nto@ i. Z 0V/@FM atto/mmf Patented Apr. 3, 1928.

uNrrisz-n.f STAT ROBERTV'L, LOVVORNQOF GADSDEN,` ALABAMA.;

VALVE-'STEM 'PROTECTORJ Application Y filed/'May 31,

The present invention relates to., gate valvesof the type havinga rising stem oper,- ated by theusual hand' wheel,nand has for its primary object the provision` ofqmeans fory protecting the` upperi exposedthreaded end of'such stems. againstthe accumulation of any dirt or rust'thereon, such as in present similar valvestructures seriously impairs the efficient operation of thehvalve.

Another object is theprovisionofan automatically closingzfollower capforthe upper end of' the risingvalve stem, `andfadvaptedto retain a lubricant inQcontactwith `the stem.

A further object is-the-,provision` of a novel asseniibly and mounting for suchaca-p relative to the. hand wheelA and .stemf Having these and such further objects in view as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, I have herein described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, a practical physical embodiment of the principles of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of the top frame of a rising stem gate valve, lillustrating the mounting of the protecting cap in service. Figure 2 is a similar elevation' of a slightly modified embodiment; Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

As shown, represents the vertically movable stem of a gate valve, threaded at its upper end through a swivel nut 11 retained in a spider 12 at the top of the frame 13, the nut 11 being rotated through its connection with the horizontal operating hand wheel 14 having radial arms 15 and a hub 16 secured to the body of the nut 11 either by means of the dowel pins 17 as shown in Figure l, or held in place by an anchor nut 18, as shown in Figure 2. It will be obvious that according to the direction ot' rotation of the hand wheel 14 the valve stem 10 will move vertically either up or down.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 3 the upper exposed end of the valve stem 10 is protected from rust and accumulation of dirt thereon by the disposition thereover of a cap 19 formed with a cylindrical barrel having a flared open lower end 2O and a closed upper end 21 provided with a lubricant feed aperture 22. The cap 19 is of a length sufficient normally to rest with its closed upper end 21 spaced above the top of the valve stem 10 when the stem is in valve closed position, and its internal diameter is such that a clearance is provided yhand wheel is secured in between the barrel and the valve stem,formover the.y top of the wheel hub 16 andattachedfintplace through the medium of U bolts. 25 passed-under the wheel farms .15 l and through suitable apertures formedjin radial ears 26 extending laterally from the: false hub .and integral therewith. Nuts 27 threadedbver-the upper. ends fofthe U bolts serve to clamp the' ears 26 to the 'armsf of the hand wheel whereby simultaneous Inoveinent of the wheel and false hub is` assured. At its central portion the false vhub is formed with an upright annular shoulder' 28 surrounding the valve stem in spaced relation and-cooperating with the flared lower end 20 of the cap 19 to form an internal guide therefor. VSurrounding the shoulder 28 the false hub is provided with a washer 29 suitably seated thereon for engagement by the flared end of the cap to provide a leak proof closure. y

The false hub 24 is provided at diametrically spacedl points with upstanding lugs 30 between which and similar lugs 31 extendingr laterally from diametrically opposed points on the cap 19 are connected tension elements in the formy of contraction springs 32, the purpose of which is to maintain the cap in position with its lower flared end engaged against the washer 29.

In the form shown in Figure 2 the only difference over the form shown in Figures 1 and 3 is in the cap attachment, other parts remaining the same and being designated by like reference numerals. The structure shown in Figure 2 is of the type wherein the place by an Lipper anchor nut 18. In this instance this nut 18 is recessed for reception of the washer 29 and is substituted in place of the falsev hub ybefore described. The lugs 30 are formed directly on the anchor nut, which is also formed with the shoulder 28, being however internally threaded for the obvious purpose of engagement over the upper portion yof the swivel nut 11.

In service, as the valve stem 1Q is raised by' operation of the hand wheel, it will enlto draw the cap gage andl litt the cap 19 from its seat on the washer 29, the springs 32 permitting the cap to travel upwardly with the stem' and acting down upon its Washer seat as the stem 10 is lowered. lt will thus be apparent -that the upper portion ot the valve stem is at all times covered by a protecting cap which also retains a lubricant in pronimity to the stem. The cap automatically follows the movement of the stem.

It is to be understood that theinventien is not to'be limited to the exactlstructural details shown and described, as these con stitute butl an embodiment thereof, but that any desired changes and modilications may be made in such details as will tall Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

' I claimi i l. A protector for longitudinally movable valve stems, comprising a cap adapted to house a' portion o a valve stem therein, an operating member for moving said stem, and tension elements connecting said cap with said operating member.

2. A protector Jfor longitudinally movable In a rising vstem gate valve assembly, a

frame, a stem movablelongitudinally therethrough, a hand wheel in operative engagement with said stem for moving the same, a cap disposed over one end ot said stem, lugs formed on said cap, and contraction springs connected between said lugs and points on said hand wheel. v

4f. ln a rising stemgate valve assembly, a hand wheel, a valvev stem movable there through, a cap disposed over said stem at one side ot said wheel, said cap having an openend adjacent said wheel, a seat fort-he .said cap end sion elements conneoting said cap andseat for retaining said cap engaged thereagainst.

In testimony ROBERT L. LOVVORN.

carried by said wheel, and ten,

7whereof I affix my signature. 

